302 A CAVEAT AGAINST INFIDELITY. It is sufficiently manifest, even to these doubting souls, that all other religions which pretend to revelation, fall vastly short of the excellencies of christianity ; and that the gospel is far preferable to all of them, both as to its own inward worth, and to its outward evidences. Ifnatural religion appear never so excellent in their eyes, this very religion ofnature is all included in the religion of Christ. And if they have but a glimpseof evidence for the gospel, reason itself wouldrequire the practice of it; since it is an additionalground for their hope of divine favour, agreeable to reason and superadded to the light ofnature. And if, after all, their belief of the' gospel should prove a mistake, and the religion of nature be the only truth, yet they can never imagine the God of nature, will condemn them for adding faith in Jesus Christ to the religion of nature; since it had probable evidences to support it. let persons, therefore, who are in these circumstances, together with their practiceof natural reli- gion, trust in Christ, and obey the gospel. Let' them proceed in their honest search into the evidences of christianity : Let them love and value this religion as far as they see it to be true Let them prayearnestly for increasing light and conviction of the truth, and not nourish their doubts and multiply their scru- ples, by a wanton curiosity, or a cavilling spirit. Let them do the will of Christ, as far as they 'know it, that, according to his promise, they may know, more assuredly, that this doctrine is of God; John vii. 17. I can hardly suppose that such a humble, sincere supplicant, and zealous enquirer into the truth ofGod, shall be left to continue year after year, and to live and die 'in so fluctuating and doubtful a state ofmind. If I had lived in this frame ofsoul, and shouldbe suddenly seized with mortal sickness, I would not only trust in the infinite mercies of God, as I was passing into the unseen world, but I would keep fast the little hold that I had of Jesus, the Saviour. A merciful God, who has no where forbid sinners the use of a Mediator, would never abandon_and condemn me, for my sense of my own unworthiness to appear in his holy presence, and for making use of the mediation of such a person, who has the best characters, and pretences to the honour of that blessed office. But on the other hand, if God has indeed appointed one only Mediator between himself and his sinful creature man, and if he has given me some feeble knowledge of his name and office,. and yet I refase to accept of his interest, because J have not full assurance of it, and will venture into the immediate pre- sence of God, without him, I should have just reason to fear a terrible repulse, and all everlasting exclusion from all the bles- sings ofhis love. ;$EcT. JV.General Exhortations to Christians, derived front theforegoing, Discourse. All our reasoning and argument should tend to practice.
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